ambulances were called to the oakland west station. an emergency rescue train was immediately dispatched from the center tube. the passengers then had to sit on the train for 45 minutes while they waited for help. they were brought out of a passage way and there they were put on to another train that had been sent to pick them up and taken to the westward station. >> did it appear people were going to panic. >> people were a bit concerned about panicking, yes. >> you panicked? >> i was in the back car when it exploded. the first thing i saw was an explosion. the second was an explosion and fire. wow i can't describe it. >> which car were you on? >> the very last car. >> reporter: you're seeing now some of the oakland firefighters who were brought out. they came out on the san francisco side. they had to go all the way through the tube. they were having problems finding the blaze because by the time they got to it their air tanks were empty and had to come back out. >> five days after the transbay tube fire, family, friends and fellow f